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Ford, who has refused to attend a single Pride event since taking office, was asked Friday if he plans to go to the noon flag-raising on city hall’s rooftop podium, steps from his second-floor office.

“No, I won’t be able to,” he said. When asked why not, the mayor told reporters: “Because I’m already committed to something else.” Ford did not reveal the other commitment. His press secretary, George Christopolous, quickly moved to end the media scrum.

Ford’s decision to skip what would be his easiest Pride appearance makes it likely he will again avoid all events in the 10-day celebration that attracts an estimated 1.2 million people and pumps tens of millions of dollars into the local economy.

He said in April that, just like last year, he won’t attend the festival-ending July 1 parade because he will spend the Canada Day weekend at his cottage with family. Ford’s three predecessors all went to the parade to show support for Toronto’s once-maligned gay communities.

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While he has never attended a Pride event, Ford was given a hero’s welcome last month when he attended another flag-raising, for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, at City Hall. But several activists told the Star then that Ford must do more to overcome a perception that he is homophobic.

Pride itself has extended olive branches to Ford, while trying to prevent the question of his attendance from overshadowing other parts of the festival, which this year is themed “Celebrate & Demonstrate.”

“The mayor was invited and we had hoped he could attend as an elected official for the City of Toronto,” Pride executive-director Kevin Beaulieu said in an email. “There are opportunities year-round to engage with our communities, but Pride is the best time, as we gather for our signature celebration of diversity.”

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, Toronto’s only openly gay councillor, called Ford’s decision “non-unexpected” and said invitations stand to other Pride events.

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